CA1095239A - Sign box with radiussed corner - Google Patents
Sign box with radiussed cornerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1095239A CA1095239A CA292,965A CA292965A CA1095239A CA 1095239 A CA1095239 A CA 1095239A CA 292965 A CA292965 A CA 292965A CA 1095239 A CA1095239 A CA 1095239A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- members
- housing
- frame
- corner
- sign
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A sign structure comprises a housing with linear extrusion side members interconnected and separated by curved corner members which are telescopically received in the ends of those side members. A front panel or frame for such a sign is similarly formed from linear extrusion frame members inter-connected and separated by curved frame corner members, the various frame members being co-extensive in elevation with the corresponding housing members. Forwardly facing channels are formed along the front edges of the housing side members for receiving rearwardly projecting J-shaped flanges provided on the linear frame members, such flanges being retained in position by screws. Any of the J-shaped flanges can rotate in its housing channel to permit the front panel to be hinged open when the screws along all the other edges are loosened to allow the other J-shaped flanges to leave their housing channels. A
continuous rubber weather seal is provided on flanges formed on all the housing side members and housing corner members for engagement by suitable members provided on all the frame members and frame corner members.
A sign structure comprises a housing with linear extrusion side members interconnected and separated by curved corner members which are telescopically received in the ends of those side members. A front panel or frame for such a sign is similarly formed from linear extrusion frame members inter-connected and separated by curved frame corner members, the various frame members being co-extensive in elevation with the corresponding housing members. Forwardly facing channels are formed along the front edges of the housing side members for receiving rearwardly projecting J-shaped flanges provided on the linear frame members, such flanges being retained in position by screws. Any of the J-shaped flanges can rotate in its housing channel to permit the front panel to be hinged open when the screws along all the other edges are loosened to allow the other J-shaped flanges to leave their housing channels. A
continuous rubber weather seal is provided on flanges formed on all the housing side members and housing corner members for engagement by suitable members provided on all the frame members and frame corner members.
Description
~ffl5i2~
The present invention relates to sign structure~ and more particularly to structures intended to be u~ed in illuminated signs of the type in which at least one panel carrying a trans~
lucent sign-carrying pane is mounted on a housing in which incandescent or fluorescent lamps are provided for back-lighting such a pane to show advertising or other information provided on such pane as opaque areas or areas of contrasting colours.
Such a sign is often supported over the entrance to a s-tore or other building. When such a sign is provided with only a sin~le panel, the sign may be secured with its back surface against a building wall. Such a sign may also be provided with two pane-carrying panels, one secured to the front surface oE the housing and the other secured across the rear surface of the housing. Such a double-sided sign may be supported so as to project angularly with respect to a buildiny wall and/or by the use of a supporting arm extending below the sign housing or by suitable su~pension means connected to the top of the sign housing~
Such signs are generally exposed to the elements and ~0 it is necessary, ther~fore, to provide such sign struetures with suitable weather sealing between the sign housing and the panel or panels of such a sign.
Additionally ~uch siyns are normally assembled in factories and then taken to the sites where they are to be installed. With a one-sided sign, it is generally necessary to remove the front panel of the sign to allow the sign housing to be secured to the building wall or other structure. After th~ 5ign housing has been so mounted; the front panel must then be replaced on the housing and secured properly in position to prevent it from coming off the housing, For example, in th case 10~5~
of high winds, and possibly injur.ing a person walking below the sign. In the case of double-s.ided signs, lt is often necessary -to remove either the ~ront or rear panel to attach the sign supporting members or for the electrical installation of the sign.
Additionally, it is frequently necessary to obtain access to the housing interior of such a sign for maintenance purposes, for example~ to replace electrical lamps provided therein.
Various proposals have heretobefore been made for supporting and ~ecuring the panels of such signs on -their housings and in Cahadian Patent No. 909,506 entitled "Sign With Hinged Front Panel" issued September 12, 1972 to Johann Stilling, there is described one such sign structure. The sign structure describ2d and claimed in that Canadian patent is intended for use with illumination elements and comprises a main frame havlng a top member, side members and a bottom member for the illum-ination elements and at least one open side defined by the :
side edges of said members; support means on at least one side edge of said top member of said frame 9 a front panel for holding a translucent sign element; a curved hinge member extendinc3 from said front panel; a concave supporting wall on said support means adapted to receive said curved hinge member to permit relative swin~ing therebetween, between a closed position and a released pQSitiOn; and removable stop means associated with said support means and interengaging with said curved hinge member in such a manner that said curved hinge me~er is normally prevented from swinging into said released position and disengaging from said concave suppor-ting wall~
While the sign structure described in the Canadian .. , , :. .
~9~
patent specification hereinbefore identified presented many important practical advantages, it did not lend itself readily to the construction of signs having anything other than relatively plain elevational configurations.
It is accordingly a principal object of this invention to provide a sign structure of the type already generally considered herein but which permits the simple construction of a wide variety of signs of many different and aesthetically pleasing elevational configurations.
It is another object of this invention to provide a sign structure to which the teachings of Canadian Patent No.
909,50h can still be applied so permitting the practical benefits of such teachings to be realised, Yet another object of this invention is to provide a sign structure which comprises means to ensure positive ,-weather-tight sealing between the housing of such a sign structure and at least one panel releasably mounted on such housing.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a sign structure in which a first extrusion can be used for all the side members of the sign hou~ing and in which a second extrusion can be used for all the frame members of one or two panels of such a sign so as to effect substantial economies in the manufacturing cost of such a sign.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description herein proceeds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is based in part on the finding that improved versatility in sign design can be ob~ained by inter-connecting linear housing side members of a sign by housing ~ Q~2~5~
corner members which not only intarconnect but also separate~wo adjacent ones of such housing side members.
The front panel or frame of such a sign structure is then similarly formed by i~terconnecting linear frame members by frame corner mel~ers which similarly interconnect and separate adjacent ones of said frame members. It should be understood that the various frame members and frame corner members will be co-extensive with corresponding ones of the housing side members and housing corner mel~ers respectively.
By forming the housing corner members and the frame corner members with arcuate elevational configurations and particularly with outwardly concave or convex elevational con-figurations, very considerable design versatility is obtained as will readily be understood as the description herein proceeds.
A sign structure in accordance with this invention is also charactexized by the provision of a weathar-tLght seal between the housing and the front panel about the entire peri-pheral line of contact between those two units~
~ roadly, a sign structure in accordance with this invention can be defined as comprising a housing which in turn comprises a plurality o~ elongated linear housing side members interconnected to provide a ~tructurally riyid and continuous housing side wall and at least one housing corner member inter-connecting and separating t.wo adjacent ones of said housing side members; housing locking members securing said housing corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said housing side members; a front panel frame which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear rame members co-extensive with corresponding ones of said housing side members and interconnected to provide a structurally rigid and continuous frama and at least _ 4 _ 5%3~
one frame corner member interconnecting and separating two adjacent ones of said frame members and co-extensive with said :
housing corner member; frame locking members securing said frame corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said rame members; recesses in said frame members and said frame corner member, such recesses being disposed in a common plane for receiving edge portions of a front panel; first supporting means on said housing; second supporting means on said frame alld releasably engaging said first supporting means -to support said fram~ across a major face of said housing; a resllienty com- ., pressible seal disposed between said housing side members and corresponding ones of said frame members and between said housing corner member and said frame corner member; and releasable securing means releasably maintaing said first supporting means and said second supporting means in engagement with each other with said qeal being compressed to restrict the passage of moisture into ~aid housing~
A sign structure in accordance with this invention will frequently be provided with more than one said housing corner member and with a corresponding plurality of co-extensive frame corner members.
The various features of novelty which characterize this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure~ For a better understanding of this invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and dsscxibed preferred embodiments of the invention, -- S --BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now he described merely by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig~lre 1 is a fragmentary perspective view o one embodim nt of a sign structure in accordance with this invention and showing a front panel of such a sign structure in a partly op~ned position thereof;
Figure 2 is a front elevation on a smaller scale of ~he sign structure shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary section -throuyh the sign skructure shown in Figure 1 when taken as indicated by the arrows 3-3 of that figure;
Fi~ure 4 is a fragmentary section similar to that of Figure 3 but showing the front panel in its fully closed position;
Figure 5 is an exploded and Eragmentary perspective view rom within of the lower left-hand corner of the housing ~:
of the sign structure shown in Figure l;
Figure 6 is an ~xploded and fragmentary perspective view of the lower left-hand corner of the front panel of the sign structure shown in~Figure l;
Figure 7 is a ~ection through the lower left~hand corner of the sign structure shown in the preceding figures and showing the manner in which corner members of the housing and front panel frame interengage, the sectlon being taken as indicated by the arrows 7-7 of Figures 5 and 6;
~igure a i8 a section similar to that of Figure 7 but ~aken ~ in~icated by ~he arrows 8-8 of Figur~s 5 and 6 with the housing and frame bottom members omitted;
Figure 9 is an exploded and fragmentary perspective .
, ~ . . ,:, -!95;~
view from wi~hin of the upper left-hand corner of tha housing of ~he sign structure shown in Figure 1, the view having been ~.
rotated through ninety degrees to facilitate comparison with Figure 5;
Figure 10 is an exploded and fragmentary perspective view of the upper left-hand corner of the front panel of the sign structure shown in Figure l, the view having ~een rotated through ninety degrees to facilitate comparison with Figure 6, and, Figures lla to lld are front elevations of alternative embodiments of ~ign structures in accordance with this invention.
The several figure~ of the drawings are located on tile appended cards of drawings as follows:
Card #l : Figure l;
Card ~2 : Figures 2, 6, 7 and 8;
Card ~3 : Figures 3, 10 and llc;
Card #4 . Figures 4, 9 and lld;
Card #5 : Figures 5, lla and llb.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFER~E~ ~MBODIMENTS
Reference will first be made to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings in which there i5 indicated generally by the legend 16 one embodiment of a sign structure in accor-dance with this inventionO The sign structure 16 comprises a housing generally indicated ak 18 and a front panel or cover generally indicated at 20 and which is releasably secured on the housing 18 to close the front face o ~hat housing.
The housi.ng 18 comprises a top member generally indicated at 22, a bottom member generally indicated at 24 and two side me~bers generally indicated at 26 but only one of which is visible in Figure l. These four members are all formed ~S23~
as identical elongated linear extrusions of suitable lengths and will be generally referred to herein as being side members of the housing 18.
The housing 18 also comprises two identical upper housing corner me~bers generally indicated at 28 and two identical lower housing corner members generally indicated at 30.
The housing side members 22, 24 and 26 ar& inter-connected and separated by appropriate ones of the housing corner members 28 and 30 to provide a structurally rigid housing having a front elevational configuration essentially identical to that shown in Figure 2 for the front panel or cover 20~
It will be noted from sev~ral figures of the accompany-ing drawings that each o th~ housing side members 22, 24 and 26 comprises a web 32 which i5 integrally formed along its rear edge with an inwardly dixected flange 34 which is in tu.rn integrally formed with a fo~wardly projecting flange 36 which is inwardly spaced apar~ from ~he web 32 to define therewith a first channel 3a 1 It ~hould perhaps be explained that, when referenc~ is made herein to forward, rearward, inward and ou~ward directions, such references are intended to signify directions relative to the housing 18. For example, the forward direction is that direction which extends from the rear oF thQ
housing 18 toward its front, the rearward direction being the opposite oneO l'he inward direction is that direction which is normal to the forwa.rd and rearward directions and which extends from outside the housing 18 toward the inside of that llousing.
Generally along the front edge of the web 32, there is integrally formed therewith an inwardly directed flange 40 3~ which is in turn integrally formed with a rearwardly directed 3S~3!~
flange 4~ defining with the web 32 a second channel 44 opposing the first channel 38.
Referring now to Figures 5, 7 and 8, it will be seen that the lower corner members 30 each comprises an outwardly convex web 46 from the opposite ends of which the.re extend linear web-like tongues or plates 48, each having a width which is very slighkly less than the distance between the flanges 34 and 40 of the housing side members 22~ 24 and 26 so a].lowing the edge portions o~ the tonges 48 to be received in the aforementioned channels 38 and 44 of adjacent ones of those housing side members during assembly of the housing 18. Screws 50 passing through holes 52 in the fl~nges 36 and 42 and received in thr~aded holes 54 in the tongues 48 serve as hou~ing locking members to maintain the housing corner mem~ers connected to adjacent ones of the housing side membersO It should be noted that some of -the screws 50 have b~en omitted from the accompanying drawinysO
Before continuing the description herein of the structure of the lower housing cornex members 30, it will be explained with referenc~ to Figure 9 that the upper housing corner mem~ers 28 have essentialIy the same structure and differ from the lower housing corner members 30 principally in that they are formed with outwardly concave webs 56 instead of the outwardly convex webs 46. Those parts of the upper hous.ing corner members 28 which are identical with the corresponding parts of the lower housing corner members 30 are identified by the same legends to avoid undue duplication of the description herein.
The sign structure 16 shown in the acGompanying drawings if of the so-called single-sided type and, therefore, has only a front panel or cover but no corresponding rear panel j " , ~523~
or cover, tile sign structure 16 being intended to be mounted on a vertical structural surface. For such purpose, holes 58 are provided in the aforementioned flanges 34 of the housing side members 22, 24 and 26 as well as through aligned inwardly projecting flanges 60 formed on the housing corner members 28 and 30.
~ omparison of the corner members 28 and 30 shown in Figures S and ~ respectively will show that, for the particular structure illustrated, th~ flanges 60 of the lower housing corner members 30 are cut square to abut the corresponding squaxe-cut ends of the adjacen~ hou.sing sida members while the flanges 60 of the upper hou~ing corner members 2S are shown as being mitred for abutment with correspondingly mitred end edges of the adjacent housing side members. It will, of course, be understood that such edges of the flanges 60 can be square-cut or mitred as desired.
~ aving completed the descxiption herein of the general construction of the housing 18 and of the manner in which the several sid~ members and cor~er members thereof interfit and ar~ in~erconnected, the description herein will now proceed with an explanation of the general construction of the front panel or cover 20 before an explanation is given of the co-operating structure provided on the housing 18 and on the front panel or cover 20 for releasably securing tho~e two units togethar.
~ r~m Figure 1, it will be ~een that the front panel 20 has the same external front elevational configuration as the housing 18. The front panel 20 is formed in a generally similar manner to that of housing 18 and comprises a top frame member generally indicated at 62, a bottom frame member gener-ally indica ed at 64~ two side frame members ge~erally indicated ~' - 10 ~
3~1 at 66, two outwardly concave upper frame corner me~b~rs generally indicated at 68 and two outwardly convex lower frame corner m~mbers generally indicate~ at 70, only one of each of the members 66, 68 and 70 being visible in Figure 1.
The frame members 62, 64 and 66 are all foxmed as identical elongated linear extrusions cut to suitable lengths and, as will readily be seen from Figures 3 and 4, such extrusion comprises a box~like cl~annel 72 defined by webs 74, 76 and 78 and 80 with spaced apart rearwardly directed lips 82 and 84 being provided on the rear surface of tha web 74. For a reason yet to be explained, an outwardly projecting lip 8~ is formed on the web ~0 in close proximity to the web 78 to define there- ;
with a narrow channel 88.
The frame members 62, 64 and 66 of the fram~ 20 are interconnected and separated by the corner members 68 and 70 which are similar in construction ~ each other and differ only in that the former have an outwardly concave configuration and are mitred to abut the mitred ~nds of the top frame member 62 and the mitred upper ends of the side frame members 66 and in that the. lower frame corner members 70 are outwardly convex and are square-cut to abut the square cu~. lower ends of the side frame members 66 and the squarewcut ends of the bottom frame member 64. Identical component parts of the upper and lower frame corner members 68 and 70 respectively are identified by the same legends.
Referring now to Figures 6, 7 and 8, it will be noted that each lower fra~e corner member 70 comprises an outwardly conv~x solid body generally indicated at 90 and having a front surface 92, a rear sur~ace 94, an outer surface 96 and a stepped inner surface 98 which is cut to provide a slot or recess 100.
~ 11 --.
From each end of -the solid body 90, there projects a linear tongue generally indicated at 101 and having a stepped sectional configuration defined by an outer surface 102, a rear surface 104, inwardly facing step surfaces 106 and 108 and forwardly facing surfaces 110, 112 and 114. The rear surface 104 and the surface 114 define a relatively tnin inwardly projecting flange 116~ The tongues 1.01 ar~ dimensi.oned so that they can be in-serted into the e~ds of the adjacent ones of the frame mernbers with the outer surface 102 contiguous with the inner surface of the web 76 of the respective frame member, the rear surface 104 cOntiguQuS with the front surface of the web 78 of the respec~ive frame member, the forwardly faciny surface 110 contiguous with rear edge of the lip 8~ of the respective frame member and with t~e flange 116 received in the aforementioned channel 88 of the respective frame member so ensuring a no~-rotational interfit with such frame members, The solid body of the upper frame corner member 68 is indicated in Figure 10 by the legend 118 in view of its provision with mitred rather than s~uare-cut end suxfaces.
In ordex to secure the frame mem~ers 62, 64 and 66 to the frame corner members 68 and 70 after asser~ly in the manner already expla.ined, screws 120 extend through holes 122 provided in the webs 78 o those frame members and screw into threaded holes ~not shown) provided in the bodies of the tongues 101 as will best be understood with reference to Figure 6.
Further reference,~ill now be made to Figures 3 and 4 to explain the structure provided for rele~sably mounting the front panel 20 on the housing 18. For this purpose, all ~le housing side members 22, 24 and 26 are integrally formed ~ 12 -". - , :
o3~
with arcuate flanges 124 which project first inwardly from the flanges 42 and then forwardly, as well as with integrally formed members 126 which project directly forwardly from the inner ends oE the flanges 40 and which terminate in inwardly and forwardly extending oblique lips 128~ A continuous groove 130 is formed in the outer surface of each of the lips 128 for receiving a resiliently compressible seal 132 of rubber or other suitable material. Such seal is usefully adhesively bonded in position in such grooves. The member 126 and tha arcuate flange 124 on each housing side member together define a forwardly open femala channel 134 and constitute a first supporting means of a sign structure in accordance with this invention.
Removably received within the channels 134 of the housing side members 22, 24 and a6 are members 136 integrally formed with the webs 78 of the frame members 62, 64 and 66.
Each member 136 has a generally J~shaped sectional configuration and such members 136 constitute the second supporting means of a sign structure in accordance with this invention. Screws 138 are thraaded into bores formed in the m~mbers 126 of the housing side members to permit relative pivoting of a frame men~er relative to th~ adjacent hou~ing side member to which it is coupled but to prevent compleke detachment of ~hat frame member from that housing side member. It will of course be under-stood that, in the assembled sign structure 16, such pivotal movement of the front panel 20 about one of its edges will be possibly only after the screws 1~8 along all the other sides of the front panel 20 have been removed or at least loosened sufficiently to allow the J-shaped members 136 tQ move out of the corresponding channels 134. Such screws 138 constitute the 3Q releasable securing m ans of a sign structure in accordance with this invention.
- -.-~;, : , : . . -3~
In order to provide an effective weather seal to prevent moisture such as rain from entering into the afore- :
mentioned channels 134, ths frarne membe~s 62, 64 and 66 are each formed wit}l a flange 140 which projects rearwardly from the we~
78 outwardly of the member 136 and which terrninates .in an out-ward'y projecting flange 14 defining with -the outer part of the web 78 an outwardly facing channel 143. A rib 144 (Figure 3) is ~ormed on the inner face of the flange 140 for sealing engage-ment with the aforesaid seal 132. The channel 143 ser-ves to assist the flow of rainwater off the top surface of the sign structure.
In accordance with one very impor~ant feature of this invention, i-t has been found that, while it is not necessary to provide the housing corn~r members 28 and 30 and the frame corner membars 68 and 70 witll first and second supporting members corresponding to the aforementloned channels 134 and members 136 respectively, it i8 essential to provide those corner men~ers with sealing means so as to ensure a positive seal between the housing 18 and the front panel 20 about its entire periphexy. For this purpose, ~he housing corner members 28 and 30 are formed as particularly shown in Figures 7 and 8 each with a forwardly projacting flallge 146 which is provided in its sloping front edge surface with a groove 148 for receiving tlle seal 132. Similarly, the frame corner members 68 and 70 are formed with rearwardly projecting flanges 150 ~.
and outwardly projecting flanges 152, defining channels 153, a rib 154 being formed on each flange 150 for sealing engage-ment with such ~eal 132.
T.ha sign structure 16 is completed by a planar pane or pan~l 156 of suitable material, the edge portions of which extend be~ween the lips 84 and the opposed edges of the webs 80 of the box-like channels 72 of the frame members 62, 64 and 66 as well as into the aligned recesses 100 provided for such purpose in the frame corner members 68 and 70. It is usefully noted that the edge surfaces of the pane 156 are disposed somewhat inwardly of the ou-ter webs 76 of the channels 72 o the frame memhers 62, 64 and 66 and of the surfaces 106 of the frame corner members 68 and 70 to allow for thermal expansion and contraction oE such pane 156.
The pane 156 can be formed of any suitaDle material such as a plastics material or g]ass and will normally be in ~.
the form of translucent sheet having characters or other graphic design or information deli~e~ted thereon by contrasting colours or by opaque areasO
Having completed the description herein of the con-struction of the sign structure 16, the manner in which that structure is assembled from its component parts will now be briefly reviewed. To effect such assembly, the housing side members 22, 24 and 26 and the fram~ members 62t 64 and 66 are first cut from the appropriate extrusions to the desired lengths, being square-cut or mitred according to the end edge configura-tions of the corner members to which they are to be attached.
The web-like tongues 48 of the housing corner members 28 and 30 are then inserted into the ends of the housing side members 22, 24 and 26 as already explained and secured in position by means of the screws 50~ ThP continus seal i9 then bonded in position in the groov~s 130 and 148.
The frame membexs 62, 64, and 66 a~d the frame corner members 68 and 70 are then assembled by inserting the tongues 101 into the ends of the frame members 62~ 64 and 66 as already described after having positioned khe edges of the pane 156 in . - .. . . ~.- . ~
23~
the pane-receiving recesses already identified. The ~rews 120 are then tightened to maintain the frame 20 in its assembled configuration.
The J~section members 136 projecting rearwardly from the frame members 62, 64 and 66 are then inserted into tha forwardly facing channels 134 on the housing side members 22, 24 and 2G and the screws 138 are ~ightened po~itively but releasably to hold the frame 20 in po~ition on and closlng the front face of the housing 18.
Finally, reference will be made to Figures lla to lld whicn show merely by way o example four different front ele-vational configuration~ for sign structures in accordance with this invention.
The sign struc-tur2 generally indicated at 160 in Figure lla is formad with four outwardly convex corners and is, therefore, shown as having four fram~ corner members 70.
The sign structure generally indicated at 162 in Figure llb is shown as being provided with four outwardly concave corners and is shown as having two outwardly concave frame corner members 68 and two outwardly concave frame corner members 164 provided with square~cut ~nd edges rather than mitred ones.
The sign structure indicated generally at 166 in Figure llc has a generally cruciform configuration and is shown in that figure as being formed from eight ou~wardly convex frame corner members 70, four outwardly concava frame corner members 68 and twelva linear frame members all of which ~ ;
are for convenience indicated by the legend 66n The sign structure indicated genarally at 168 in Figura lld is similar in that it i~ formed in part from five , . ~ ~ . . . . .
3~
linear frame members 66, four convex frame corner members 70 and two concave frame corner members 68. It differs from the other sign structures hereinbefore speciEically described, howev~r, in that it also comprises linear frame members 170 and 172 which are interconnected in a conventional manrler using hidden corner splices or gussets (not shown) for the purpose of demonstrating the great versatility in sign design made possible by this invention par-ticularly when used in conjunction with known prior art procedures.
Other variations in and modifications of the sign structure hereinbefore specifically described are also possible.
~or example, while the sign structures in accordance with this invention and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings are all of th~ so-called single-sided type, this invention equally embraces double sided sign structures which are usefully obtained by applying the teaching of this invention to the additional provision of a rear panel of identical structure to the front panel 20.
~aving described what is believed to be the best mode by which the inven~ion may be performed, it will be seen that the in~ention may be particularly defined as follows:
A sign structure which comprises a housing which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear housing side men~ers int~rconnected to provide a structurally rigid housing by housing corner members interconnecting two adjacent ones of said housiny side members, housing locking members securing each said housing corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said housing side members, a front panel frame which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear frame members co~extenisive with corresponding ones of said .. . .
jC ~ ~
;,, : ~ , , .
3~
housing side men~ers and interconnected to provide a structurally rigid frame by frame corner members interconnecting two adjacent ones of said frame members and co-extensive wi-th said housing co~ner members, Erame locking memb~rs ~ecuring said frame corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said frame m~mbers~
recesses in said frame members and said Erame corner member, such recesses being disposed in a common plane for receiving edge portions of a front panel, first supporting means on said -~
housing, ~econd supporting means on said frame and releasably engaging said fir~t supporting means to support said frame across a major face of said housing, a resiliently compressible seal disposed betw0en s~id housing side members and corresponding ones of said frame members and between said housing corner members and said frame corner members, and, releasable securing means releasably maintaining said first supporting means and said second supporting means in engagement with each other with said seal being compressed to restrict the passage of moisture into said housing.
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of ~he invention which is given here by way of example onl~. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the speclfic features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof a~ come within the scope of the appended claims.
The present invention relates to sign structure~ and more particularly to structures intended to be u~ed in illuminated signs of the type in which at least one panel carrying a trans~
lucent sign-carrying pane is mounted on a housing in which incandescent or fluorescent lamps are provided for back-lighting such a pane to show advertising or other information provided on such pane as opaque areas or areas of contrasting colours.
Such a sign is often supported over the entrance to a s-tore or other building. When such a sign is provided with only a sin~le panel, the sign may be secured with its back surface against a building wall. Such a sign may also be provided with two pane-carrying panels, one secured to the front surface oE the housing and the other secured across the rear surface of the housing. Such a double-sided sign may be supported so as to project angularly with respect to a buildiny wall and/or by the use of a supporting arm extending below the sign housing or by suitable su~pension means connected to the top of the sign housing~
Such signs are generally exposed to the elements and ~0 it is necessary, ther~fore, to provide such sign struetures with suitable weather sealing between the sign housing and the panel or panels of such a sign.
Additionally ~uch siyns are normally assembled in factories and then taken to the sites where they are to be installed. With a one-sided sign, it is generally necessary to remove the front panel of the sign to allow the sign housing to be secured to the building wall or other structure. After th~ 5ign housing has been so mounted; the front panel must then be replaced on the housing and secured properly in position to prevent it from coming off the housing, For example, in th case 10~5~
of high winds, and possibly injur.ing a person walking below the sign. In the case of double-s.ided signs, lt is often necessary -to remove either the ~ront or rear panel to attach the sign supporting members or for the electrical installation of the sign.
Additionally, it is frequently necessary to obtain access to the housing interior of such a sign for maintenance purposes, for example~ to replace electrical lamps provided therein.
Various proposals have heretobefore been made for supporting and ~ecuring the panels of such signs on -their housings and in Cahadian Patent No. 909,506 entitled "Sign With Hinged Front Panel" issued September 12, 1972 to Johann Stilling, there is described one such sign structure. The sign structure describ2d and claimed in that Canadian patent is intended for use with illumination elements and comprises a main frame havlng a top member, side members and a bottom member for the illum-ination elements and at least one open side defined by the :
side edges of said members; support means on at least one side edge of said top member of said frame 9 a front panel for holding a translucent sign element; a curved hinge member extendinc3 from said front panel; a concave supporting wall on said support means adapted to receive said curved hinge member to permit relative swin~ing therebetween, between a closed position and a released pQSitiOn; and removable stop means associated with said support means and interengaging with said curved hinge member in such a manner that said curved hinge me~er is normally prevented from swinging into said released position and disengaging from said concave suppor-ting wall~
While the sign structure described in the Canadian .. , , :. .
~9~
patent specification hereinbefore identified presented many important practical advantages, it did not lend itself readily to the construction of signs having anything other than relatively plain elevational configurations.
It is accordingly a principal object of this invention to provide a sign structure of the type already generally considered herein but which permits the simple construction of a wide variety of signs of many different and aesthetically pleasing elevational configurations.
It is another object of this invention to provide a sign structure to which the teachings of Canadian Patent No.
909,50h can still be applied so permitting the practical benefits of such teachings to be realised, Yet another object of this invention is to provide a sign structure which comprises means to ensure positive ,-weather-tight sealing between the housing of such a sign structure and at least one panel releasably mounted on such housing.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a sign structure in which a first extrusion can be used for all the side members of the sign hou~ing and in which a second extrusion can be used for all the frame members of one or two panels of such a sign so as to effect substantial economies in the manufacturing cost of such a sign.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description herein proceeds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is based in part on the finding that improved versatility in sign design can be ob~ained by inter-connecting linear housing side members of a sign by housing ~ Q~2~5~
corner members which not only intarconnect but also separate~wo adjacent ones of such housing side members.
The front panel or frame of such a sign structure is then similarly formed by i~terconnecting linear frame members by frame corner mel~ers which similarly interconnect and separate adjacent ones of said frame members. It should be understood that the various frame members and frame corner members will be co-extensive with corresponding ones of the housing side members and housing corner mel~ers respectively.
By forming the housing corner members and the frame corner members with arcuate elevational configurations and particularly with outwardly concave or convex elevational con-figurations, very considerable design versatility is obtained as will readily be understood as the description herein proceeds.
A sign structure in accordance with this invention is also charactexized by the provision of a weathar-tLght seal between the housing and the front panel about the entire peri-pheral line of contact between those two units~
~ roadly, a sign structure in accordance with this invention can be defined as comprising a housing which in turn comprises a plurality o~ elongated linear housing side members interconnected to provide a ~tructurally riyid and continuous housing side wall and at least one housing corner member inter-connecting and separating t.wo adjacent ones of said housing side members; housing locking members securing said housing corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said housing side members; a front panel frame which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear rame members co-extensive with corresponding ones of said housing side members and interconnected to provide a structurally rigid and continuous frama and at least _ 4 _ 5%3~
one frame corner member interconnecting and separating two adjacent ones of said frame members and co-extensive with said :
housing corner member; frame locking members securing said frame corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said rame members; recesses in said frame members and said frame corner member, such recesses being disposed in a common plane for receiving edge portions of a front panel; first supporting means on said housing; second supporting means on said frame alld releasably engaging said first supporting means -to support said fram~ across a major face of said housing; a resllienty com- ., pressible seal disposed between said housing side members and corresponding ones of said frame members and between said housing corner member and said frame corner member; and releasable securing means releasably maintaing said first supporting means and said second supporting means in engagement with each other with said qeal being compressed to restrict the passage of moisture into ~aid housing~
A sign structure in accordance with this invention will frequently be provided with more than one said housing corner member and with a corresponding plurality of co-extensive frame corner members.
The various features of novelty which characterize this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure~ For a better understanding of this invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and dsscxibed preferred embodiments of the invention, -- S --BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now he described merely by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig~lre 1 is a fragmentary perspective view o one embodim nt of a sign structure in accordance with this invention and showing a front panel of such a sign structure in a partly op~ned position thereof;
Figure 2 is a front elevation on a smaller scale of ~he sign structure shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary section -throuyh the sign skructure shown in Figure 1 when taken as indicated by the arrows 3-3 of that figure;
Fi~ure 4 is a fragmentary section similar to that of Figure 3 but showing the front panel in its fully closed position;
Figure 5 is an exploded and Eragmentary perspective view rom within of the lower left-hand corner of the housing ~:
of the sign structure shown in Figure l;
Figure 6 is an ~xploded and fragmentary perspective view of the lower left-hand corner of the front panel of the sign structure shown in~Figure l;
Figure 7 is a ~ection through the lower left~hand corner of the sign structure shown in the preceding figures and showing the manner in which corner members of the housing and front panel frame interengage, the sectlon being taken as indicated by the arrows 7-7 of Figures 5 and 6;
~igure a i8 a section similar to that of Figure 7 but ~aken ~ in~icated by ~he arrows 8-8 of Figur~s 5 and 6 with the housing and frame bottom members omitted;
Figure 9 is an exploded and fragmentary perspective .
, ~ . . ,:, -!95;~
view from wi~hin of the upper left-hand corner of tha housing of ~he sign structure shown in Figure 1, the view having been ~.
rotated through ninety degrees to facilitate comparison with Figure 5;
Figure 10 is an exploded and fragmentary perspective view of the upper left-hand corner of the front panel of the sign structure shown in Figure l, the view having ~een rotated through ninety degrees to facilitate comparison with Figure 6, and, Figures lla to lld are front elevations of alternative embodiments of ~ign structures in accordance with this invention.
The several figure~ of the drawings are located on tile appended cards of drawings as follows:
Card #l : Figure l;
Card ~2 : Figures 2, 6, 7 and 8;
Card ~3 : Figures 3, 10 and llc;
Card #4 . Figures 4, 9 and lld;
Card #5 : Figures 5, lla and llb.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFER~E~ ~MBODIMENTS
Reference will first be made to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings in which there i5 indicated generally by the legend 16 one embodiment of a sign structure in accor-dance with this inventionO The sign structure 16 comprises a housing generally indicated ak 18 and a front panel or cover generally indicated at 20 and which is releasably secured on the housing 18 to close the front face o ~hat housing.
The housi.ng 18 comprises a top member generally indicated at 22, a bottom member generally indicated at 24 and two side me~bers generally indicated at 26 but only one of which is visible in Figure l. These four members are all formed ~S23~
as identical elongated linear extrusions of suitable lengths and will be generally referred to herein as being side members of the housing 18.
The housing 18 also comprises two identical upper housing corner me~bers generally indicated at 28 and two identical lower housing corner members generally indicated at 30.
The housing side members 22, 24 and 26 ar& inter-connected and separated by appropriate ones of the housing corner members 28 and 30 to provide a structurally rigid housing having a front elevational configuration essentially identical to that shown in Figure 2 for the front panel or cover 20~
It will be noted from sev~ral figures of the accompany-ing drawings that each o th~ housing side members 22, 24 and 26 comprises a web 32 which i5 integrally formed along its rear edge with an inwardly dixected flange 34 which is in tu.rn integrally formed with a fo~wardly projecting flange 36 which is inwardly spaced apar~ from ~he web 32 to define therewith a first channel 3a 1 It ~hould perhaps be explained that, when referenc~ is made herein to forward, rearward, inward and ou~ward directions, such references are intended to signify directions relative to the housing 18. For example, the forward direction is that direction which extends from the rear oF thQ
housing 18 toward its front, the rearward direction being the opposite oneO l'he inward direction is that direction which is normal to the forwa.rd and rearward directions and which extends from outside the housing 18 toward the inside of that llousing.
Generally along the front edge of the web 32, there is integrally formed therewith an inwardly directed flange 40 3~ which is in turn integrally formed with a rearwardly directed 3S~3!~
flange 4~ defining with the web 32 a second channel 44 opposing the first channel 38.
Referring now to Figures 5, 7 and 8, it will be seen that the lower corner members 30 each comprises an outwardly convex web 46 from the opposite ends of which the.re extend linear web-like tongues or plates 48, each having a width which is very slighkly less than the distance between the flanges 34 and 40 of the housing side members 22~ 24 and 26 so a].lowing the edge portions o~ the tonges 48 to be received in the aforementioned channels 38 and 44 of adjacent ones of those housing side members during assembly of the housing 18. Screws 50 passing through holes 52 in the fl~nges 36 and 42 and received in thr~aded holes 54 in the tongues 48 serve as hou~ing locking members to maintain the housing corner mem~ers connected to adjacent ones of the housing side membersO It should be noted that some of -the screws 50 have b~en omitted from the accompanying drawinysO
Before continuing the description herein of the structure of the lower housing cornex members 30, it will be explained with referenc~ to Figure 9 that the upper housing corner mem~ers 28 have essentialIy the same structure and differ from the lower housing corner members 30 principally in that they are formed with outwardly concave webs 56 instead of the outwardly convex webs 46. Those parts of the upper hous.ing corner members 28 which are identical with the corresponding parts of the lower housing corner members 30 are identified by the same legends to avoid undue duplication of the description herein.
The sign structure 16 shown in the acGompanying drawings if of the so-called single-sided type and, therefore, has only a front panel or cover but no corresponding rear panel j " , ~523~
or cover, tile sign structure 16 being intended to be mounted on a vertical structural surface. For such purpose, holes 58 are provided in the aforementioned flanges 34 of the housing side members 22, 24 and 26 as well as through aligned inwardly projecting flanges 60 formed on the housing corner members 28 and 30.
~ omparison of the corner members 28 and 30 shown in Figures S and ~ respectively will show that, for the particular structure illustrated, th~ flanges 60 of the lower housing corner members 30 are cut square to abut the corresponding squaxe-cut ends of the adjacen~ hou.sing sida members while the flanges 60 of the upper hou~ing corner members 2S are shown as being mitred for abutment with correspondingly mitred end edges of the adjacent housing side members. It will, of course, be understood that such edges of the flanges 60 can be square-cut or mitred as desired.
~ aving completed the descxiption herein of the general construction of the housing 18 and of the manner in which the several sid~ members and cor~er members thereof interfit and ar~ in~erconnected, the description herein will now proceed with an explanation of the general construction of the front panel or cover 20 before an explanation is given of the co-operating structure provided on the housing 18 and on the front panel or cover 20 for releasably securing tho~e two units togethar.
~ r~m Figure 1, it will be ~een that the front panel 20 has the same external front elevational configuration as the housing 18. The front panel 20 is formed in a generally similar manner to that of housing 18 and comprises a top frame member generally indicated at 62, a bottom frame member gener-ally indica ed at 64~ two side frame members ge~erally indicated ~' - 10 ~
3~1 at 66, two outwardly concave upper frame corner me~b~rs generally indicated at 68 and two outwardly convex lower frame corner m~mbers generally indicate~ at 70, only one of each of the members 66, 68 and 70 being visible in Figure 1.
The frame members 62, 64 and 66 are all foxmed as identical elongated linear extrusions cut to suitable lengths and, as will readily be seen from Figures 3 and 4, such extrusion comprises a box~like cl~annel 72 defined by webs 74, 76 and 78 and 80 with spaced apart rearwardly directed lips 82 and 84 being provided on the rear surface of tha web 74. For a reason yet to be explained, an outwardly projecting lip 8~ is formed on the web ~0 in close proximity to the web 78 to define there- ;
with a narrow channel 88.
The frame members 62, 64 and 66 of the fram~ 20 are interconnected and separated by the corner members 68 and 70 which are similar in construction ~ each other and differ only in that the former have an outwardly concave configuration and are mitred to abut the mitred ~nds of the top frame member 62 and the mitred upper ends of the side frame members 66 and in that the. lower frame corner members 70 are outwardly convex and are square-cut to abut the square cu~. lower ends of the side frame members 66 and the squarewcut ends of the bottom frame member 64. Identical component parts of the upper and lower frame corner members 68 and 70 respectively are identified by the same legends.
Referring now to Figures 6, 7 and 8, it will be noted that each lower fra~e corner member 70 comprises an outwardly conv~x solid body generally indicated at 90 and having a front surface 92, a rear sur~ace 94, an outer surface 96 and a stepped inner surface 98 which is cut to provide a slot or recess 100.
~ 11 --.
From each end of -the solid body 90, there projects a linear tongue generally indicated at 101 and having a stepped sectional configuration defined by an outer surface 102, a rear surface 104, inwardly facing step surfaces 106 and 108 and forwardly facing surfaces 110, 112 and 114. The rear surface 104 and the surface 114 define a relatively tnin inwardly projecting flange 116~ The tongues 1.01 ar~ dimensi.oned so that they can be in-serted into the e~ds of the adjacent ones of the frame mernbers with the outer surface 102 contiguous with the inner surface of the web 76 of the respective frame member, the rear surface 104 cOntiguQuS with the front surface of the web 78 of the respec~ive frame member, the forwardly faciny surface 110 contiguous with rear edge of the lip 8~ of the respective frame member and with t~e flange 116 received in the aforementioned channel 88 of the respective frame member so ensuring a no~-rotational interfit with such frame members, The solid body of the upper frame corner member 68 is indicated in Figure 10 by the legend 118 in view of its provision with mitred rather than s~uare-cut end suxfaces.
In ordex to secure the frame mem~ers 62, 64 and 66 to the frame corner members 68 and 70 after asser~ly in the manner already expla.ined, screws 120 extend through holes 122 provided in the webs 78 o those frame members and screw into threaded holes ~not shown) provided in the bodies of the tongues 101 as will best be understood with reference to Figure 6.
Further reference,~ill now be made to Figures 3 and 4 to explain the structure provided for rele~sably mounting the front panel 20 on the housing 18. For this purpose, all ~le housing side members 22, 24 and 26 are integrally formed ~ 12 -". - , :
o3~
with arcuate flanges 124 which project first inwardly from the flanges 42 and then forwardly, as well as with integrally formed members 126 which project directly forwardly from the inner ends oE the flanges 40 and which terminate in inwardly and forwardly extending oblique lips 128~ A continuous groove 130 is formed in the outer surface of each of the lips 128 for receiving a resiliently compressible seal 132 of rubber or other suitable material. Such seal is usefully adhesively bonded in position in such grooves. The member 126 and tha arcuate flange 124 on each housing side member together define a forwardly open femala channel 134 and constitute a first supporting means of a sign structure in accordance with this invention.
Removably received within the channels 134 of the housing side members 22, 24 and a6 are members 136 integrally formed with the webs 78 of the frame members 62, 64 and 66.
Each member 136 has a generally J~shaped sectional configuration and such members 136 constitute the second supporting means of a sign structure in accordance with this invention. Screws 138 are thraaded into bores formed in the m~mbers 126 of the housing side members to permit relative pivoting of a frame men~er relative to th~ adjacent hou~ing side member to which it is coupled but to prevent compleke detachment of ~hat frame member from that housing side member. It will of course be under-stood that, in the assembled sign structure 16, such pivotal movement of the front panel 20 about one of its edges will be possibly only after the screws 1~8 along all the other sides of the front panel 20 have been removed or at least loosened sufficiently to allow the J-shaped members 136 tQ move out of the corresponding channels 134. Such screws 138 constitute the 3Q releasable securing m ans of a sign structure in accordance with this invention.
- -.-~;, : , : . . -3~
In order to provide an effective weather seal to prevent moisture such as rain from entering into the afore- :
mentioned channels 134, ths frarne membe~s 62, 64 and 66 are each formed wit}l a flange 140 which projects rearwardly from the we~
78 outwardly of the member 136 and which terrninates .in an out-ward'y projecting flange 14 defining with -the outer part of the web 78 an outwardly facing channel 143. A rib 144 (Figure 3) is ~ormed on the inner face of the flange 140 for sealing engage-ment with the aforesaid seal 132. The channel 143 ser-ves to assist the flow of rainwater off the top surface of the sign structure.
In accordance with one very impor~ant feature of this invention, i-t has been found that, while it is not necessary to provide the housing corn~r members 28 and 30 and the frame corner membars 68 and 70 witll first and second supporting members corresponding to the aforementloned channels 134 and members 136 respectively, it i8 essential to provide those corner men~ers with sealing means so as to ensure a positive seal between the housing 18 and the front panel 20 about its entire periphexy. For this purpose, ~he housing corner members 28 and 30 are formed as particularly shown in Figures 7 and 8 each with a forwardly projacting flallge 146 which is provided in its sloping front edge surface with a groove 148 for receiving tlle seal 132. Similarly, the frame corner members 68 and 70 are formed with rearwardly projecting flanges 150 ~.
and outwardly projecting flanges 152, defining channels 153, a rib 154 being formed on each flange 150 for sealing engage-ment with such ~eal 132.
T.ha sign structure 16 is completed by a planar pane or pan~l 156 of suitable material, the edge portions of which extend be~ween the lips 84 and the opposed edges of the webs 80 of the box-like channels 72 of the frame members 62, 64 and 66 as well as into the aligned recesses 100 provided for such purpose in the frame corner members 68 and 70. It is usefully noted that the edge surfaces of the pane 156 are disposed somewhat inwardly of the ou-ter webs 76 of the channels 72 o the frame memhers 62, 64 and 66 and of the surfaces 106 of the frame corner members 68 and 70 to allow for thermal expansion and contraction oE such pane 156.
The pane 156 can be formed of any suitaDle material such as a plastics material or g]ass and will normally be in ~.
the form of translucent sheet having characters or other graphic design or information deli~e~ted thereon by contrasting colours or by opaque areasO
Having completed the description herein of the con-struction of the sign structure 16, the manner in which that structure is assembled from its component parts will now be briefly reviewed. To effect such assembly, the housing side members 22, 24 and 26 and the fram~ members 62t 64 and 66 are first cut from the appropriate extrusions to the desired lengths, being square-cut or mitred according to the end edge configura-tions of the corner members to which they are to be attached.
The web-like tongues 48 of the housing corner members 28 and 30 are then inserted into the ends of the housing side members 22, 24 and 26 as already explained and secured in position by means of the screws 50~ ThP continus seal i9 then bonded in position in the groov~s 130 and 148.
The frame membexs 62, 64, and 66 a~d the frame corner members 68 and 70 are then assembled by inserting the tongues 101 into the ends of the frame members 62~ 64 and 66 as already described after having positioned khe edges of the pane 156 in . - .. . . ~.- . ~
23~
the pane-receiving recesses already identified. The ~rews 120 are then tightened to maintain the frame 20 in its assembled configuration.
The J~section members 136 projecting rearwardly from the frame members 62, 64 and 66 are then inserted into tha forwardly facing channels 134 on the housing side members 22, 24 and 2G and the screws 138 are ~ightened po~itively but releasably to hold the frame 20 in po~ition on and closlng the front face of the housing 18.
Finally, reference will be made to Figures lla to lld whicn show merely by way o example four different front ele-vational configuration~ for sign structures in accordance with this invention.
The sign struc-tur2 generally indicated at 160 in Figure lla is formad with four outwardly convex corners and is, therefore, shown as having four fram~ corner members 70.
The sign structure generally indicated at 162 in Figure llb is shown as being provided with four outwardly concave corners and is shown as having two outwardly concave frame corner members 68 and two outwardly concave frame corner members 164 provided with square~cut ~nd edges rather than mitred ones.
The sign structure indicated generally at 166 in Figure llc has a generally cruciform configuration and is shown in that figure as being formed from eight ou~wardly convex frame corner members 70, four outwardly concava frame corner members 68 and twelva linear frame members all of which ~ ;
are for convenience indicated by the legend 66n The sign structure indicated genarally at 168 in Figura lld is similar in that it i~ formed in part from five , . ~ ~ . . . . .
3~
linear frame members 66, four convex frame corner members 70 and two concave frame corner members 68. It differs from the other sign structures hereinbefore speciEically described, howev~r, in that it also comprises linear frame members 170 and 172 which are interconnected in a conventional manrler using hidden corner splices or gussets (not shown) for the purpose of demonstrating the great versatility in sign design made possible by this invention par-ticularly when used in conjunction with known prior art procedures.
Other variations in and modifications of the sign structure hereinbefore specifically described are also possible.
~or example, while the sign structures in accordance with this invention and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings are all of th~ so-called single-sided type, this invention equally embraces double sided sign structures which are usefully obtained by applying the teaching of this invention to the additional provision of a rear panel of identical structure to the front panel 20.
~aving described what is believed to be the best mode by which the inven~ion may be performed, it will be seen that the in~ention may be particularly defined as follows:
A sign structure which comprises a housing which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear housing side men~ers int~rconnected to provide a structurally rigid housing by housing corner members interconnecting two adjacent ones of said housiny side members, housing locking members securing each said housing corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said housing side members, a front panel frame which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear frame members co~extenisive with corresponding ones of said .. . .
jC ~ ~
;,, : ~ , , .
3~
housing side men~ers and interconnected to provide a structurally rigid frame by frame corner members interconnecting two adjacent ones of said frame members and co-extensive wi-th said housing co~ner members, Erame locking memb~rs ~ecuring said frame corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said frame m~mbers~
recesses in said frame members and said Erame corner member, such recesses being disposed in a common plane for receiving edge portions of a front panel, first supporting means on said -~
housing, ~econd supporting means on said frame and releasably engaging said fir~t supporting means to support said frame across a major face of said housing, a resiliently compressible seal disposed betw0en s~id housing side members and corresponding ones of said frame members and between said housing corner members and said frame corner members, and, releasable securing means releasably maintaining said first supporting means and said second supporting means in engagement with each other with said seal being compressed to restrict the passage of moisture into said housing.
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of ~he invention which is given here by way of example onl~. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the speclfic features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof a~ come within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (10)
1. A sign structure which comprises:
a housing which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear housing side members interconnected to provide a structurally rigid housing by housing corner members inter-connecting two adjacent ones of said housing side members;
housing locking members securing each said housing corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said housing side members;
a front panel frame which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear frame members co-extensive with corresponding ones of said housing side members and interconnected to provide a structurally rigid frame by frame corner members interconnecting two adjacent ones of said frame members and co-extensive with respective said housing corner members;
frame locking members securing said frame corner members to each of said two adjacent ones of said frame members;
recesses in said frame members and said frame corner members, such recesses being disposed in a common plane for receiving edge portions of a front panel;
first supporting means on said housing;
second supporting means on said frame and releasably engaging said first supporting means to support said frame across a major face of said housing;
a resiliently compressible seal disposed between said housing side members and corresponding ones of said frame members and between said housing corner members and said frame corner members, and, releasable securing means releasably maintaining said first supporting means and said second supporting means in engagement with each other with said seal being compressed to restrict the passage of moisture into said housing.
a housing which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear housing side members interconnected to provide a structurally rigid housing by housing corner members inter-connecting two adjacent ones of said housing side members;
housing locking members securing each said housing corner member to each of said two adjacent ones of said housing side members;
a front panel frame which in turn comprises a plurality of elongated linear frame members co-extensive with corresponding ones of said housing side members and interconnected to provide a structurally rigid frame by frame corner members interconnecting two adjacent ones of said frame members and co-extensive with respective said housing corner members;
frame locking members securing said frame corner members to each of said two adjacent ones of said frame members;
recesses in said frame members and said frame corner members, such recesses being disposed in a common plane for receiving edge portions of a front panel;
first supporting means on said housing;
second supporting means on said frame and releasably engaging said first supporting means to support said frame across a major face of said housing;
a resiliently compressible seal disposed between said housing side members and corresponding ones of said frame members and between said housing corner members and said frame corner members, and, releasable securing means releasably maintaining said first supporting means and said second supporting means in engagement with each other with said seal being compressed to restrict the passage of moisture into said housing.
2. A sign structure as claimed in Claim 1 and in which each said housing corner member and said frame corner member have corresponding arcuate elevational configurations.
3. A sign structure as claimed in Claim 2 and in which each said housing corner member and said frame corner member have outwardly convex configurations.
4. A sign structure as claimed in Claim 2 and in which each said housing corner member and said frame corner member have outwardly concave configurations.
5. A sign structure as claimed in Claim 1 and which comprises four said housing corner members and four co-extensive said frame corner members.
6. A sign structure as claimed in Claim 1 and in which each said housing corner member and said frame corner member are each formed with two arms outwardly projecting therefrom in different directions and received within openings therefor in respective ones of said housing side members and said frame members respectively, said housing locking members and said frame locking members being adapted to retain said arms within respective ones of said openings.
7. A sign structure as claimed in Claim 6 and in which said housing side members and said frame members are in the form of elongated extrusions having flanges defining said recesses for receiving edge portions of a front panel and flanges defining channels constituting said openings for receiving respective ones of said arms.
8. A sign structure as claimed in Claim 7 and in which said two adjacent ones of said housing side members and two adjacent ones of said frame members are formed, adjacent said housing corner member and said frame corner member respectively, with end edge surfaces which are perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of those housing side members and frame members respectively.
9. A sign structure as claimed in Claim 1, in which said first supporting means are provided on first and second ones of said housing side members, in which said second supporting means are provided of corresponding first and second ones of said frame members, and in which said first and second supporting means and said releasable securing means are adapted to permit pivotal movement of said front panel frame relative to said housing on release of said first and second supporting means along said first housing side member, such pivotal movement then being about an axis extending generally along a front edge of said second housing side member.
10. A sign structure as claimed in Claim 1 and in which said resiliently compressible seal is disposed in a continuous groove formed in all said housing side members and in said housing corner members for sealing engagement by a continous flange formed on all said frame members and on said frame corner members.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA292,965A CA1095239A (en) | 1977-12-13 | 1977-12-13 | Sign box with radiussed corner |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA292,965A CA1095239A (en) | 1977-12-13 | 1977-12-13 | Sign box with radiussed corner |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1095239A true CA1095239A (en) | 1981-02-10 |
Family
ID=4110273
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA292,965A Expired CA1095239A (en) | 1977-12-13 | 1977-12-13 | Sign box with radiussed corner |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1095239A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-12-13 CA CA292,965A patent/CA1095239A/en not_active Expired
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |